An Experience of Culture Shock -- Toko

 I have been spending in New Zealand for about 4 months, and the most shocking thing was most New Zealanders often greet in a bus. When they get on a bus, they often greet the bus driver. For example, “good morning” “hello”. And when they get off a bus, they often say “thank you” or sometimes “have a good day” or “have a good night”.

I really like this culture in which greet each other even to strangers. However, we don’t have this kind of culture in Japan, so it was tough for me to adopt to this culture. At the begging of this study abroad, I often forgot to say “thank you”, and to make matters worse, even if I was greeted by a bus driver when I got on a bus, I used to respond in very foolish way. For example, when I was asked “How are you?” by a bus driver, I responded “Thank you”. It doesn’t a conversation anymore! Because even if I was asked “How are you?” I responded “Thank you”.

                 I wanted to have a regular conversation with a bus driver, so to achieve it, I told to myself “I can have a regular conversation... I can do it...” because I am likely to get nervous.

                 Now, I can have a normal conversation with a bus driver. If I am asked a question from a bus driver such as “How are you?” I can answer like “Good, thank you.” I can tell how I feel to the bus driver. I get used to greetings on a bus, and I manage to be confident.

                To adopt to this culture, it tool about 1 month for me. I still respon stupidly by mistake at times, but I almost get used to this culture.